Reviewed by Tony Cummings

At last, at long, long last, the eminently talented and wilfully neglected Shirley Novak has a new recording. It's only a 5-song item and she's had to finance it herself but it's a gem, Shirley's consummate songwriting craft and eerily effective voice ensuring every bit of emotion is squeezed from the themes. Try the haunting opener "Falling" with her bitter sweet voice sliding across the hook, or the tongue-in-cheek spoof cocktail bar song. Some good arrangements with particularly fine fretless underpin Shirley's voice throughout. If you caught Shirley's tour with Caroline Bonnett and Sue Rinaldi you'll already be reaching for your chequebook to send off for 'So Weak, So Strong'.

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